Sanitary napkin belt clasp



Patented on. is, 1935 NlTED STATES PATET ()FFICE Application June 13, '5

My invention relates to improvements in clasps for sanitary napkin beltsof the type shown in application Serial Number 724,855, on which this application is an improvement in part, and the r object of the invention is to increase the ability of the clasp embodied in that type of belt, to securely hold an end of the envelope of a catamenial bandage or sanitary napkin, as such bandages are popularly termed, without necessitating the use of additional prongs; in fact, the use of a lesser number of prongs, with an attendant simplification and strengthening of the clasp, is made possible by the invention. Such napkins ordinarily have envelopes or body portions formed of gauze or like material.

The objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the clasp and adjacent portion of a belt embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the same, an end of a napkin secured in the clasp being shown in broken lines.

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of the invention, and

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modification.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The end of a conventional belt I!) is looped back upon itself and secured adjustably by a fastener II. In the loop is suspended the buckle or clasp and includes an annulus l2, l4, l5 and prongs or a prong it. The top portion of the annulus is perforated with a slot 13 which receives the belt ID. The prongs it are formed integrally with the bottom portion l5 and project into the open space within the annulus, in the plane thereof.

Each prong 16 has a head formed between the downwardly diverging edges I9, forming the penetrating point of the prong, and the downwardly converging edges l8, forming the reduced neck 17 connecting the prong to the bottom portion it of the annulus.

Each side arm I of the annulus has on its inner edge a laterally directed projection 20 defined between a downwardly and inwardly inclined edge 22 and a downwardly and outwardly inclined edge 2! therebelow.

In using the device, the belt is attached to the body in the usual manner and the end of the napkin 23 is inserted from the side next the body, through the open center of the clasp. It is thence drawn downwardly, whereupon the prongs will impale the napkin end and the edges l9 and 22 will compress the strands thereof toward each 1935, Serial No. 26,392 (01. 24-186) other as the several portions thereof pass downwardly past the projections 28. The divided portions of the napkin end will thence expand into, the widened spaces 2 below the projections 20, wherein they will be securely held against accidental displacement, since to become removed they would have to again be compressed in passing upwardly past the projections 20. The opposed edges !8 and 2! in a respective receiving space 24, cooperate in thus holding the napkin end against upward displacement.

One new result not secured in prior devices is this: All three of the strand portions (in a two prong clasp) will move into place with the same resistance and will be uniformly held against 25 removal with the same security, and all three will move straight downwardly instead of the two outer portions having to spread laterally as was true in former devices. As a result, the clasping action. is more definite and the operator can more 20 readily tell when the napkin is properly secured.

Most important is the fact that the retaining ability is increased almost threefold over that of a similar clasp having the same number of prongs but without the side arm projections.

The invention makes it possible to reduce the number of prongs to a single centrally located prong, as in Figures 3 and 4. In the latter case, the prong is shown as having the widest extremities of its head rounded instead of pointed as in the other figures, retention being attained by the expansion of the two strand portions into the narrow necked spaces 24.

The edges 22 function to smoothly guide the strands of the napkin end to the narrow neck regions of the spaces 24 without catching them 0 holding them from passing into the spaces 24. The wider region within the annulus above the edges 22 allows the napkin end to be freely inserted through the annulus without difiiculty which would be encountered if the napkin end had to be pulled through the annulus in the compressed condition it attains when passing through the narrow .neck regions of the spaces 24.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clasp for holding the end of a sanitary napkin, comprising an annulus suspended at its top from a belt, a pair of prongs projecting upwardly from the bottom portion of the annulus, in the plane thereof, and a. projection on each side arm of the annulus, directed laterally toward the upper end of an adjacent prong and forming therewith a napkin receiving space having a constricted upper end and widening downwardly.

2. A clasp for holding the end of a sanitary napkin, comprising an annulus suspended from a belt, napkin piercing means projecting upwardly from the bottom portion of the annulus, in the plane thereof, and a projection on a side arm of the annulus, directed laterally toward the upper end of said piercing means and forming therewith a napkin receiving space having aconstricted upper end and widening downwardly.

3. A clasp for holding the end of a sanitary napkin, comprising an annulus suspended at its upper end from a belt, napkin piercing means projecting upwardly from the central region of the bottom portion of the annulus, in the plane thereof, and a projection on each side arm of the annulus, directed laterally and inwardly toward Said piercing means and forming therewith napkin receiving spaces having constricted upper ends and widening downwardly, the space within the annulus gradually widening upwardly from said projections to form an entrance region of ample area to readily receive the napkin.

4. A clasp for holding the end oi! a sanitary napkin, comprising an annulus suspended at its upper end from a belt, napkin piercing means projecting upwardly from the central region of the bottom portion of the annulus, in the plane thereof, and a projection on a side arm of the annulus, directed laterally and inwardly toward slanting first downwardly and outwardly and 5 thence downwardly and inwardly to form a widened region which is horizontally opposed to one of said projections, the inner edge of the side arm being inclined upwardly and outwardly from said projection and cooperating with said 10 downwardly and outwardly slanted edge of the piercing means to compress the cheese cloth into the restricted upper extremity of said napkin receiving space.

5. A clasp for holding the end of a sanitary l5 napkin, comprising an annulus suspended at its upper end from a belt, napkin piercing means projecting upwardly from the bottom portion of the annulus, in the plane thereof, said piercing means having side edges the upper regions of 20 which project laterally toward the side arms of the annulus, and a projection on each of said side arms, directed laterally and inwardly toward said upper regions and forming therewith napkin receiving spaces having constricted upper ends and 25 widening downwardly,

ESTELLA E. STA'I'I'ER 

